Community pays tribute to Scottish Sikh detained in India

Jagtar Singh Johal's family believe he has been 'physically and mentally tortured' in prison.

The family of a Dumbarton man who has been detained for a year in India say they still do not know why he is being held.

Jagtar Singh Johal was arrested in Punjab on November 4 2017 by undercover police. It was just two weeks after his wedding.

His family say that he is a peaceful human rights activist who has been wrongly targeted for translating documents in relation to 1984's Operation Blue Star - one of the most controversial events in modern Indian history.

In the operation, the Indian army stormed the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Sikhs around the world were outraged, and accused the troops of desecrating the faith's holiest shrine.

Today, hundreds of worshippers gathered at Glasgow's Central Gurdwara, one of the biggest Gurdwaras in Europe, to show their support to Mr Johal and his family.

The family believe that Mr Johal has endured both physical and mental torture in prison and despite over 60 court appearances, no evidence against him has been presented.

Mr Johal's brother, solicitor Gurpreet Singh Johal, told STV News: "It's hard for his defence because we don't know what he has been charged with.

"For us it's a case of joining the dots.

"We're just not clear on what he is supposed to have done."

Mr Johal went on to say that holding prisoners for extended periods of time isn't uncommon in India.

He said: "I have no doubt that Jagtar will be found not guilty.

"It is common in India, especially for Sikhs, to be held for nine to ten years before they are found not guilty.

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